My Green Chicago Trip, Part 2: Transportation & Sightseeing

Chicago is one of the best cities to see without a car! And boy, did I see a lot. I won’t bore you with all my trip photos in this post. Here’s a link to my Chicago vacation photos on Flickr, for those who are interested. I’ll just give you a glimpse of the car-free fun I had. Click on any photo to see the larger version.

My feet are my favorite mode of transit. Sunday evening, after I checked into the hostel, they took me around the neighborhood and over to Buckingham Fountain to see some wonderous sights in the dark:

Monday morning, I met up with a Fake Plastic Fish reader: the one and only Clif Brown, he of the awesome, thought-provokingcomments. Clif lives nearby and made an excellent tour guide for our hours-long walk…

through downtown…

Millenium Park…

and along Lake Michigan…

where we had zero-waste ice cream cones and chatted with a few ducks. How fortunate I am to be able to spend a simple day on foot enjoying gorgeous architecture, a big sky, and great conversations with a new/old friend.

Monday evening, I hooked up with a group from the hostel who were going to a neighborhood bar to listen to music. Did we take a cab or tour bus? No way, man! Only public transit for us!

The music was not great, but I didn’t care. It was all about the people: an English teacher from Germany, a blogger from North Carolina (?), a woman from Australia who is as passionate about the environment as I and who told me I was the first person she’d met in America who cared about waste and who also carried her own utensils and cup. As it turned out, we also share a favorite band (The Cat Empire). I wish I had felt grounded enough to make these kinds of connections with strangers at Blogher.

Tuesday morning, I arose early for a bicycle tour with Bobby’s Bike Hike. Chicago is flat and eminently bikeable. What a fun way to see more of the city!

There’s that big blue sky again.

I spent the rest of the day on Tuesday walking around the city by myself and braving the Sears Willis Tower “Ledge.”

I got through this part without fainting, so I think I win. (Yes, it’s a real tattoo on my foot, in case you were going to ask.)

Wednesday morning came too soon. I could have stayed many more days. I’d have loved to have toured the Museum of Science and Industry’s Smart Home. And too bad I didn’t have time to drop in and say hi to my friend Oprah. But there’s just not enough time to do everything, is there?

Do all of these measures (walking, biking, taking public transit, reducing my waste) make up for the massive amount of emissions from flying to and from Chicago in the first place? No, of course not. I did carbon offset my flight miles. But why add emissions from driving cars to my carbon footprint when it’s so enjoyable to go slow and enjoy the view and fresh air from outside a motor car?

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Your phots make me jealous. I wiah I had the time to take such a relaxing vacation.The pictures are fantastic.Just stumbled and submitted your site to Viralogy. Hope you get some great traffic from it. Your blog is here http://www.viralogy.com/blogs/my/7132- Josh

Hey, everyone, check to see if you have a local hostel then try to arrange some kind of conference in YOUR town to attract Beth, as she is a great conversationalist, a tireless walker. Even Canadian geese take to her (probably 'cause they don't use plastic). She might get you out to see something local you've never been to see, like Millennium Park in my case.I was afraid I would have to ask her to wear a mask so that people wouldn't be constantly coming up and asking for her autograph, but things worked out ok.It was surprising to see how litter-free our big city looked. Mayor Daley, for all his faults in looking the other way while cronies clean up (and I don't mean litter), has been a terrific mayor for this city. AND he is an avid bicycle rider.Beth, thank goodness you were here in nice weather. It's hot and humid out now and I am huddling by the air conditioner. Tell us again what make and model your camera is as it sure takes good sharp photos.

Last year I was in Chicago and was blown away by all the plantings all over the downtown. One planting was prettier than the other. Did they do an amazing job again this year? You know I am gardening obsessed...Plus Chicago is so clean. Love that about a big city. Great pic. Nice foot tatoo.

Hi Beth,Your Chicago coverage was ace and a good help to any Zero Waste enthusiast planning a visit. The razor advice for flights is well taken. I have an unused plastic one as a spare.The negatives from the BlogHer event should merely be taken as a good lesson for future events. It is also great to see your many contacts and their number should increase with time.Like you, we find that green businesses are ignorant of the waste situation, with regard to plastic packaging. Good dialogue with them can explain our viewpoint and we in turn can promote their business success.

Beth, if you ever decide to come back and tour the Smart Home let me know and I'll go with you. Did you want me to send you the they give you for the room by room of products they use so you can see what they have done?Nice entries on your blog about your vacation time!!mel

Beth, your photos are amazing! It looks like you had a great time. I'm sorry you didn't feel comfortable enough to make those kind of connections at BlogHer. I made myself do it and I'm glad. I met a lot of great women who were just as upset about the trash and the drama as we were and are calling for change. I'm really impressed with how clean the L is. Just like Washington DC!